Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 96: Chapter 96

ASHAL

I have not been able to think of anything else. After I listened to what Cree and Ashton had been keeping from me at the hotel, I was at a loss for words. I know father has his faults and sucks at being a loving parent but I just can’t believe he can be so callous and evil. Everything Cree had explained regarding my biological parents made father out to be a coldhearted killer and selfish home wrecker. I just couldn’t believe it.

That day, I lurched to my feet and scratched my head.

"There has to be a misunderstanding. The man you’re describing can’t be father. Tell her, Ash. Tell her she’s dead wrong and needs to check her facts." But Ashton only came to stand next to me with a forlorn look. "Don’t tell me you believe that crap hook, line and sinker. You said it yourself that it was a bad idea to ever listen to her and that she was messing with your head. LOOK AT HER. She has no reason to help us. She clearly bears a grudge against us for all the inconvenience we’ve caused her. SHE’S GOT TO BE LYING." I barked angrily.

"Calm down, Ashal."

"No, don’t expect me to calm down. She literally just defamed father. She has no right to speak so ill of him."

Cree surged to her feet. "I think I should return to work."

"Who the hell is your source?" I quizzed her before she could turn around and return to the bar. "Why can’t you drop his name? See Ashton? You can’t go about trusting everything people tell you without hard proof. You should know better. We have a lot of haters. People come up with the craziest lies nowadays to tear the fabric of our familial relationship just for the satisfaction of seeing us crash and burn."

"Okay, I’m leaving." Cree echoed and turned on her heels. I beat her to the door and watched her eyes flare up in anger. "Look, you asked me what I know and I told you. You don’t believe me? Fine. Continue living in your false sense of truth. Can I reveal my source? No! Is he legit? Damn right he is. If not now, the truth of everything I have just said will be revealed some day and you will remember this every moment here when you blocked my path because you’re in denial."

I couldn’t believe her guts. Then again, I did because she’s Cree. Behind her, Ashton streaked his hand over his blond mane and sighed softly.

"You will not repeat this horse shit to anyone else! If I catch a whiff of these unfounded lies from anyone else, you’ll come to know a side of me that no woman wants to meet in her lifetime. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR, CREE BAXTER?"

She remained unflinching in her stare. "Crystal. Now, get out of my way!" When I moved aside, she threw Ashton a heated glare before brushing past me and slamming the door behind her. I turned to face Ashton. I couldn’t believe how easily and quickly he wanted to buy into any rumor that satisfied his loathing for father.

"Ashal..." he began.

"I can’t believe you, man. How could you fall for that hogwash? Father is a heartless killer? We have a sister out there? Are you kidding me? What exactly is going on in that head of yours?"

Ashton snapped. "Is it truly unbelievable that father would do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Ashal? Are you really shocked that he kills? This is father we are talking about and you and I both know what he is capable of so don’t stand there and pretend he is a saint."

"You’re right. Father is not a saint but he is also not the devil. I get that we are adopted and you’re naturally curious about our biological parents but you can’t go around believing just about anything and anyone. If Cree’s source is so reliable, why won’t she let you meet him to confirm his facts? Who exactly is he and how does he know so much about father? Have you asked yourself those questions?"

"Of course I have. I have every intention of sniffing him out but for now, I’m focused on getting as much information as I can from Cree before pursuing other sources. Look, Cree knows not to mess with our family. If she was lying through her teeth about father, she wouldn’t stick around. She’ll take to her heels. Also, she would probably have billed me in exchange for any information on our biological parents by now but she hasn’t. It’s either she’s confident that her source is legit and means to make up for the part she played in Shay’s torment or she’s stupid enough to make up damnable lies about father and still stick around to get caught. We both know she’s anything but stupid."

I didn’t know what to say to that. Ashton was already sold on the lies and it was no use going back and forth with him.

On my part, I was barely recovered from Maddie and Olivia’s acts of betrayal. Maybe that might have affected my standpoint on Cree’s story because I couldn’t bear another loved one betraying my trust and causing me pain but whatever the case, I was not ready to digest such ridiculous revelations about father.

"You promised you wouldn’t pursue this matter again." I tried reminding my brother.

"I know and I’m sorry I couldn’t resist the temptation. I kept it a secret because I wanted to be sure of everything before sharing with you guys. If there’s any chance our kid sister is out there, I have to know. I want to find her, to see and know her."

"Why? Are we not enough family for you, Ash? Three brothers? What other sibling love are you so desperate to feel?"

"It has nothing to do with sibling love. I have never lacked any of it from you guys but if we do have a kid sister, I feel like I owe it to our real parents to find and protect her, even if it’s from a distance. She’s been through foster homes, Ashal. I can’t imagine what her condition of living might be. Aren’t you the least bit curious?"

"I’d have to believe Cree’s story to work up any kind of emotion or concern for a stranger who may or may not exist. You want to believe Cree, knock yourself out but spare Asher and Ashley the torment. We all have so much going on in our personal lives already. Don’t pile on them with this...whatever you want to call it." With that, I walked out on him.

don’t believe it. I won’t

for seeing me." Mr. Dunn says. If I wasn’t desperate for a distraction from everything I have recently just learnt, I wouldn’t be in Olivia’s home, listening

to the first buffoon he finds? Why didn’t I cut back their monthly allowance or threaten to move them out of the

When’s the wedding taking place? Who’s the groom? I hope he’s capable of taming Madeline where you

friend was hurt when I called off the engagement the last time based on your instruction. He refuses to accept Maddie as his daughter-in-law now. I am

I know someone who can arrange a groom

he can find potential

to have and

"I’ll let you know."

follow his eyes to the door behind me, Maddie’s mom stands with a heartbreaking look on her face. Her eyes

her discipline and now someone has to teach her. Marriage isn’t exactly effective in transforming a person’s character but I am insisting on it because Maddie dreads it. It’s the only punishment that will make

leave their apartment with Mr. Dunn’s list of qualities for eligible bachelors, I text Elyon, offer him

***

has a disturbed look on his face when he meets me

bachelors?" I ask him. Hesitantly, he bobs his head. "Very good. How

you doing this again? Why are you the one helping Madeline find a husband and why is she looking for one so urgently?

"What concerns?"

between you and Madeline. Do you guys have some kind

not! Why would she even think that? I happen to know her father and he asked my help in getting an eligible groom for his daughter to wed soon. I’m just keeping my promise to the old man here. This has got nothing to do with

of your heart? "He clucks his tongue. "I don’t know man, I just can’t believe it. You seem like you’re enjoying this a little too much. Did you read this list of must-haves? Did Madeline truly demand that her potential groom be short,

her decision, okay?" I interrupt him. "Not every woman wants a tall, rich and conventionally handsome stud. Besides, guys that are lacking in that department are humans too and deserve a chance too. What matters is the quality of their character, their heart and values. Can we get on with the interviews already?" Elyon shrugs his shoulders lazily and

found fourteen willing to apply. They were initially twenty-one but the rest left when they saw a picture of Madeline because they couldn’t believe a woman like that would

about the same picture I sent?" It was a fairly decent picture of Maddie in glasses in her first year of

Maddie’s Instagram and got a more recent photo." Elyon taps on his phone and shows me the new picture. I lose my breath for a few seconds just staring at Maddie posing in a bodycon dress that accentuates her curves so conspicuously. She looks like she could fit on the cover of a playboy magazine; hot with disarming

find myself snapping at Elyon throughout the car ride to the theatre, especially after I also learn that Cher allowed four guys that don’t fit the list

with it? Why

a woman herself and she probably believes that a woman as beautiful as her friend, Madeline, wouldn’t naturally gravitate towards the guys on your list. In fact, Cher believes the list of features and qualities to be possessed by the potential grooms are fake and made up by a jealous, vengeful ex or something and since you brought the list, she suspects you. Madeline has always been into guys that are the complete opposite of that

vengeful ex? Why the hell would Cher think like that?

everything. I am still stewing over the unsanctioned alterations made to my plan, especially when the guys start

even has a French accent. Women trip for that kind of stuff. Whenever I move to cancel them out, Elyon arches a brow

you rule

"Too proud."

you asked how much he makes in a year and he told you. How was that being proud?" Elyon questions me with a frown. "Is pride

am not. The thing is that unlike him, I am not on the other side of this table auditioning to marry Madeline so I’m

in an action movie steps through the door. He’s about my height with dark hair, sexy green eyes

the fuck is this

with another. When he became smitten by her, she was already done with his lies and dumped him. He’s been trying to rekindle their relationship for month. He begged

in my mind. Before the young man can take a seat,

was that for?"

father doesn’t want any

this about what her father wants and not Maddie’s choice?" He whispers to me. Frustrated, Elyon walks over to Madeline’s ex who goes by the name Carter and mutters something to him. The young man excuses

trying to weed out every guy that looks very good for and with Maddie. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re jealous, bitter and

all wrong. I’m

daughter married